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	No Cycle?
niggit Fish Addict Posts: 631 Kudos: 282 Votes: 0 Registered: 29-Jan-2003	i've had my first sw tank (10G) up and running for about 5 weeks (3 weeks with 10lbs of live rock, 1 week with 5 hermit crabs). i've tested the water about once a week for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, etc... and have yet to see significant levels of anything. is it possible that my tank hasn't cycled yet? or, could it have cycled quickly in between water tests? or, is there just not enough waste being produced for the cycle to begin? i guess my main question is: can i add a fish now?
Posted 07-Feb-2006 20:33
fishkid99 Enthusiast Posts: 252 Kudos: 218 Votes: 39 Registered: 07-Dec-2005	hmmm... Well it could take your tank (sometimes) more then a month to cycle. But hve you added any cycle helpers to the tank?(Cycle or powdered bacteria etc) Because these will help speed up the cycle. And hurt it if you get a bottle of cycle which is bad. >>>----> <----<<< pnh
Posted 07-Feb-2006 23:58
Norrec Hobbyist Posts: 103 Kudos: 70 Votes: 1 Registered: 02-Jun-2005	the fish i used to cycle my tank was my clown and hes still alive u can use chromis fish that is what im going to do with my 30 gal ......... Austin In the age of darkness the blind man is the best guide. In the age of insanity look towards the mad man to show you the way
Posted 08-Feb-2006 01:30
dthurs Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4340 Kudos: 4170 Votes: 529 Registered: 18-Feb-2003	Your tank will make enough bacteria to control the amount of waste it produces. 10 pounds of rock is not a whole lot, so there will be little waste. My guess is teh cycle is done and was small. Be careful adding any livestock, the tank is small and a spike will be a drastic change in water quality. Dan Dan
Posted 08-Feb-2006 02:19
sirbooks Moderator Sociopath Posts: 3875 Kudos: 5164 Votes: 932 Registered: 26-Jul-2004	I agree with Dan, it sounds like the tank is good to go. It likely did go through a cycle, just a very quick one. I'm not surprised that a small tank with live rock can burn though the cycle in less than a week, especially since you don't have any livestock larger than a small hermit crab. The above warning about adding critters is a good one, so just be careful when you get that fish. Good luck! And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."
Posted 08-Feb-2006 04:02
nthqldfish Fingerling Posts: 18 Kudos: 11 Votes: 13 Registered: 07-Jan-2006	Hey Niggit, I have a tank that did exactly the same thing. It is 30gal though. LFS says that it can happen from time to time. She seems to think that it was because I sourced local saltwater from the ocean and did not make it myself. I am about to do another one exactly the same way. Will keep you posted on the results. Too many Kid's, not enough Fish
Posted 08-Feb-2006 05:51
DarkRealm Overlord Moderator metal-R-us Posts: 5962 Kudos: 2166 Registered: 23-Sep-2002	If the rock you use is fully cured there wont really be a noticable cycle...just stock slowly because your bacteria levels will be very low. As for the NSW helping with the cycle..I doubt it helped much at all. Most bacteria is on the substrate, rock, etc..very limited quantities in the actual water (free floating).
Posted 08-Feb-2006 07:15


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